She got up silently careful not to make any noise. The moon lit her room making it visible. She hated to do this....especially when her dad was against it. But she had to get out. She needed to get out. "3...2....1" silence.

She jumped out the window the night air filling her lungs the rush felt amazing just like it had 10 years ago back when life was simple. Back when she wasn't hurt or broken inside back when she was 'Nicky' back when her mother still belonged in the same world as her. The sounds were still fresh in her mind, her mother bleeding to death while she watched ...helpless....vulnarable to the circumstances. Where was her father? Why wasn't he there when her mom got stabbed severally or when the brute tried to rape her. He wasn't there to protect his wife or 5 year old daughter. She deeply hated him..well then but not now.

The beach spread on vastly . She liked the cool breeze . " Nicole dear when you grow up and became all successful please teach your old mommy to surf won't you dear? Jane,her mother asked. Nicole looked up and met her mother's clear blue eyes. "Of course mummy. Then we can scuba dive all day long and where fancy suits and have fun all day long." The five year old beauty answered. Jane smiled at her precious little angle. She loved Nicole more than anything now the little brat with her nose running and blonde hair done tightly to a ponytail, just as she requested , fixing the broken wall clock.She wasn't much of a girly girl, Jane thought but neither was she when she was Nicole's age. But she liked it. Having this brat follow in her foosteps made her happy.

Nicole looked up at the sky. The sun was quickkly rising. She knew she had to get along and hurry before her dad got worried to death about her.

"I'm home dad." Nicole said opening the front door. "Oh honey where were you ?" Chandler Brown asked wearing an oversized apron over his night gown. His blond hair was all messy and his blue eyes looked at her both worried and relived. Nicole walked to the fridge and took out an apple juice. "I went for a jog. Your always on my neck on keeping a healthy lifestyle." Chandler stared down at Nicole. He knew he was being to overprotective but the death of Jane brought about anxiety and fear of losing the only thing that she ever left him. He knew he had to protect Jane's daughter because that would be the only way of earning favour with her.

"I made you some bacon." he said showing the frying pan full of pig meat. "Not hungry dad. Plus I'm vegetarian I stopped eating meat a decade ago." She answered her grey eyes studying him. He felt defeated. Making conversion with this introvert was harder than riding a bull. She was always on her phone and the only time they talked was when she reminded him to pay the water and lights bill or if the WiFi was out and to 'drop by the store and get more milk' otherwise her daughter's life was simply far beyond his grasp.

Nicole let out a sigh of relief she was once again in her room, it was just as she left it her...clothes neatly folded and placed in her wardrobe, her monitor still running while her alarm kept beeping loudly reminding her to wake up. She loved the light blue room especially since she and her dad worked on it for days, more like her painting while her dad talked endlessly on all the stuff that they would fill in the big room."Took you long enough...you had me wait here for an hour Nic" a deep voice said. Nicole turned around and saw the tall figure of Andrew leaning towards her. He was taller than her, dark hair, ocean blue eyes and his athlete body.He wasn't handsome no, Andrew was beautiful.

Andrew stared at her, was she really ok ? Last time she went on her morning 'jog' she disappeared for weeks without informing anyone. The last thing he need was to let this fragile flower hide anything from him. She didn't have to be strong all alone..no... she didn't need to be strong at all....he'd be strong for his beautiful flower. "My flower " he puffed under his breath. Nicole looked up at him her gray eyes studying him carefully "what beautiful flower?" her voice was firm, Andrew prayed..hell he wanted this girl to be safe. "Nothing , it was just my thinking out loud. You should have told me your going out I mean we could have gone out together... you don't have to do this all alone. I'm your best friend so don't keep anything from me Nic I'm begging you." Shit, he didn't mean to get all emotional. Nicole moved forward ang hugged him tightly, "I miss her so much. I~I want her back Andy. Am I too selfish " Nicole cried. Andrew stared down at the 146cm flower in his hands. She was gripping tightly on his shirt her pale knuckles kneading his chest. Her dirty blonde hair, no longer in a ponytail falling over her shoulders. He pulled her closer. Her smell, her aroma, her scent, her smile, her crying. This girl was everything to him. Ever since they were kids, no one ever told him to, but he knew he had to take care of her. No matter what.

Andrew caressed her hair, gently telling her he loved her. She pulled in closer and could hear his heavy breathing. She The only part she could hug was his waist. "Shortie" he whispered before kneeling and wiping her tears. She looked into his blue eyes, why was this boy so gentle towards her , not always but at the moment he was so gentle. His hands were on her cheecks while he tucked loose strands of blonde hair behind her ear. His hand slid lower and rubbed her pink lips. She stared at him eyes widening ,heart racing. What the hell was he thinking.